'Being at school is the best place for children to be,' says East Lancashire deputy medical director

Dr Chris Gardner, deputy medical director and consultant paediatrician at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, wrote an open letter to parents in Lancashire this week to address any concerns about the risk of Covid-19 in schools.

Schools in England closed in March as part of the Government's strategy to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

"This is a worrying time for lots of parents," Dr Gardner said.

"But being in school is the best place for children to be. The benefits for children and young people go beyond just their education - schools are also there to develop life skills, build social relationships and promote health and well-being, and we know that many children have struggled in recent months without the routine and daily contact with friends and teachers.

"With the virus still in circulation, it is understandable that some of us as parents and carers will be reluctant to send kids back to school, however children are the group least affected by Covid-19, and as long as you follow the guidance of your local authority and public health agencies, you can be assured that your children will be well cared for."

"Kids inevitably pick up common illnesses all the time, but especially in the autumn and winter terms, when flu, colds and sickness bugs are passing from person to person.

"Just make sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet for yourself and your family, ensure your children take the medicine they need - such as inhalers for asthma - to school with them and should you need any medical advice, your local community pharmacists are professionals and will be able to point you in the right direction."

Dr Gardner also encouraged parents to allow their child to have a flu vaccination, to help the NHS cope with its first winter during the pandemic.

"Where your child is entitled to a flu vaccination, which is currently all school children up to year seven, please consider taking this up," he continued.

"The levels of flu vaccine take up in children will have a huge effect on how our NHS services cope during our first winter with Covid-19, and this is a very effective way for you to protect not only the kids, but also vulnerable relatives from the effects of flu.

"For most people this will be arranged to be given at school."